Government assures NHIF workers of jobs after migration to SHA
Head of Public Service Felix Koskei now says that the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) workers will not lose their jobs as the government shifts to the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Speaking on Wednesday, October 30, the Head of Public Service noted that SHA is yet to hire any employee except for the acting CEO.
“There has been tension by the staff that has been working with NHIF but we have given them very clear assurance that no one will lose their job. As SHA, we only have one staff in the name of acting CEO. The entire staff complement of SHA has not been filled and the people who will be given first priority are NHIF staff,” he said.
Additionally, Koskei said that NHIF staff who may not be able to transition to SHA would be absorbed into other government positions.
“Those who perhaps don’t manage to be on-boarded will be deployed to other government institutions, ministries, parastatals, and other agencies so that at the end of the day, the 100% ratio retention will be assured,” he added.
The Social Health Authority (SHA) was established to replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). SHA is mandated to manage the three healthcare funds established through the four healthcare bills.
The three funds under SHA include the Primary Healthcare Fund (PHF), the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIL).
The assurance comes at a time when many NHIF workers have expressed fears of losing their jobs.
The majority of roles under SHA are heavily digital in nature, causing concerns among some employees.
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Koskei however said appraisals will be conducted, and those who may not transition to SHA will be absorbed into other government positions.
He also assured Kenyans that no one will be denied health services in the country, especially in hospitals and health facilities enrolled under the Social Health Authority.
He however went on to note that some facilities may offer services that are not necessarily prioritized under Universal Health Coverage, and certain facilities have not yet been contracted by SHA.
So far, over 13 million Kenyans have transitioned from NHIF to SHA, and many more are expected to do so in the coming weeks as the authority marks one month since the registration exercise began.
The transition from NHIF to SHA has however brought additional costs to employed citizens, but the government says it aims to ensure that all Kenyans can access health services under the Universal Health Care Programme.
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